The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has generated significant excitement among consumers, despite the challenges in securing preorders in the U.S. and Canada. Preorders for the highly anticipated console will become available to fans in these countries at 12:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 24. The global demand for the Switch 2 has been fervent, with Nintendo’s priority console lottery system not ensuring guaranteed access to the device at its release on June 5.
Some online communities have expressed dissatisfaction with the $450 price of the Switch 2. In Japan, Nintendo has already issued apologies to customers who might not receive their consoles on release day due to high demand. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa disclosed that the company received an overwhelming 2.2 million applications for the lottery sale in Japan, vastly exceeding the available supply for the launch day.
On Twitter, a fan account echoed Furukawa’s statement that those not selected in the initial lottery will automatically be entered into a subsequent one, though even this follow-up may not satisfy the significant demand. Nintendo has ramped up production efforts, with plans to continue manufacturing and shipping more units in Japan in the future. Priority notifications for U.S. buyers are expected to start from May 8.
Internationally, the enthusiasm for the Switch 2 has also been pronounced. Charlotte Massicault, head of gaming at French retailer Fnac, described the preorder demand as “completely crazy,” reaching “historic levels” on the first weekend following its reveals on April 2. In France, Fnac remains optimistic about avoiding a shortage. However, other regions, such as the UK, have already sold out during the April 7 preorder launch at major retailers like Amazon, EEStore, and Argos, indicating varied demand across different territories.
In comparison to the original Switch, which sold around 360,000 units in Japan during its first month of release, current figures suggest a much stronger demand for the new handheld device. The Americas have been identified as Nintendo’s largest market, accounting for 54.5 million original Switch sales, compared to Japan’s 34 million, as per the company’s latest sales data.
Industry analysts widely agree that the Switch 2 will experience a successful launch. Nintendo has made concerted efforts to ensure enough stock is available, although geopolitical factors such as tariffs have impacted supply chain schedules. Despite these challenges, the company remains committed to meeting as broad a demand as possible, while acknowledging potential difficulties in rapidly scaling production.
U.S.-based preorders will be accessible from midnight at retailers including Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, while GameStop will offer sales starting at 11 a.m. ET. Prospective buyers are advised to act promptly to secure their purchase or wait for restocks, which could take some time.
